Becoming a Paralegal with the Help of an Online School

Shannon Kietzman, Contributing Writer

Updated: 1/7/2009

There are many different career paths that you can pursue with the help of an online school, but one area that is growing in popularity is paralegal studies. The fact that paralegal studies is so popular should come as no surprise. After all, the coursework necessary to earn a degree in the field can be completed entirely online and it is relatively easy to find a job in the field. In fact, according to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment opportunities in the field are expected to grow much faster than the average occupation over the next several years.

Taking a Closer Look at the Paralegal Job Description

As a paralegal, your job duties can vary slightly from one employer to the next. For the most part, however, paralegals are called upon to assist lawyers in any way necessary. This may include answering phone calls and other secretarial duties, but generally involves more technical work. For example, the paralegal may be asked to conduct research in order to help the lawyer prepare for a case. This might include gathering facts involved with the case as well as gathering information from legal articles and judicial cases that might help support the case.

In addition to gathering information on behalf of the lawyer, the paralegal may also be required to complete written reports for the lawyer. The paralegal may also prepare documents that the lawyer needs for the cases he or she represents. These documents may include pleadings, motions, affidavits, and more.

Although paralegals may conduct research and prepare documents for a lawyer, there are certain activities that the paralegal may not perform. For example, a paralegal may not actually practice the law or give legal advice. A paralegal also may not actually present the case in court or set legal fees. At the same time, the lawyer is the one that is ultimately responsible for the cases that he or she chooses to represent.

The Benefits of Becoming a Paralegal

In addition to the fact that there are plenty of employment opportunities available to paralegals, there are several other benefits associated with following this career path. For example, working as a paralegal is not physically demanding and most o the work is done inside the comforts of an office. Paralegals can also choose to work flexible schedules, as those that work for law offices may work long hours while preparing for certain cases but then may enjoy an extended amount of time off from work. At the same time, paralegal positions with the government and with corporations typically offer steady 40 hour work weeks for those that prefer a more routine schedule.

The potential earnings for a paralegal are also quite attractive. The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that the median annual salary for legal assistants in 2006 was $43,040. Those working for the Federal Government earned the most, with the median annual salary in 2006 being $56,080. Those working in a position of management of enterprises and companies earned $52,220 while those working for the local government earned $42,460. Those working in the legal services field earned $41,460 and those working for the state government earned the least, with a median annual salary of $38,020.

Paralegals also enjoy a number of other benefits that are typically associated with professional positions of employment. For example, they generally receive paid sick leave and vacation time. In addition, they usually receive life insurance and health insurance benefits as well as access to a 401 savings plan. Many employers also provide bonuses to paralegals, particularly to those that are occasionally called upon to work long hours, and many provide reimbursement to those that choose to pursue continuing education opportunities.

If you have an interest in the law and are looking for a great career that you can get started in right away, you should certainly look into obtaining a degree in paralegal studies. In most cases, you can earn the degree in two years or less and the coursework can be completed entirely online.

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